Defending Palestine A Moral And Spiritual Responsibility Of Muslims – Mohd Na’im

KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 23 (Bernama) -- The struggle to defend Palestine is not merely an act of sympathy but a moral and spiritual responsibility of Muslims, as a mark of rejecting tyranny, says Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Religious Affairs) Datuk Dr Mohd Na’im Mokhtar.

He said Malaysia had long been recognised as the moral voice of the world in championing the Palestinian cause.

“Our foreign policy is based on the principle of ‘neutrality with values’, neutral in the politics of major powers but clearly aligned with the values of justice and humanity.

“This approach is manifested through two complementary channels; hard diplomacy and soft diplomacy,” he said when speaking at the Launch of the Gaza 101 Encyclopaedia at Dataran Merdeka here today.

Mohd Na’im said Malaysia had also consistently raised the issue of Palestine at international forums such as the United Nations (UN), where the country repeatedly emphasised that Palestine was entitled to freedom, security and sovereignty.

“(In addition) at the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), Malaysia has called for collective action to stop the violence against Gaza, and even supported the OIC emergency resolution in 2021 condemning the inhumane attacks on Palestinian civilians,” he said.

Meanwhile, Mohd Na’im commended the initiative of the Malaysian Consultative Council of Islamic Organisations (MAPIM) in documenting the humanitarian missions carried out by non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and Malaysians in Palestine through the publication of the Gaza 101 Encyclopaedia.

“Documentation such as ‘Gaza 101’ becomes an instrument of narrative diplomacy. This book provides data, project records, photographic evidence and authentic testimonies. It can serve as a soft policy document that further strengthens Malaysia’s arguments at the UN, OIC, NAM (Non-Aligned Movement) and other international forums.

“More than that, ‘Gaza 101’ is a reflection of Malaysia’s nation branding – a moderate Muslim nation that consistently champions universal justice. This book reinforces Malaysia’s moral authority in the eyes of the world, showing that we do not merely talk, but we act and document the evidence,” he said.

-- BERNAMA